Measles epidemic spreads in Quebec

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Measles epidemic spreads in Quebec

254 cases; disease leapfrogged from Europe

By Charlie Fidelman, Gazette Health Reporter June 6, 2011

MONTREAL - An epidemic of measles, a highly contagious disease that's

leapfrogged here from Europe, has already affected 254 people in Quebec, and

officials expect more infections as the virus spreads among people who have not

been vaccinated.

Outbreaks have been reported in England, Wales and France. The outbreaks are

often cited as a legacy of a now discredited study by a United Kingdom doctor

who scared parents away from immunization.

Quebec's last measles outbreak, in 2007, sickened 94 people. The 254 cases cited

Monday are for the last six months.

Of the cases in this province, 208 were reported as of May 1, largely in central

Quebec. Montreal has five cases, and Quebec City has 26.

Considering the severity of the situation, Quebec's chief public health

official, Dr. Alain Poirier, held a news conference Monday afternoon.

Initial cases were reported in people who had returned from vacation in France.

But since then the infection has spread locally, Poirier said.

People who get measles generally recover fully after 10 days of sickness, but

there can be complications, including pneumonia and diarrhea.

Occasionally, the virus can lead to brain complications (one out of 1,000

cases), and permanent damage, sometimes death (one out of 3,000 cases.)

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. It spreads through the air from

nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. Symptoms include a runny

nose, cough, low fever, reddened eyes, and later a rash and high fever. Symptoms

of measles usually appear in 10-12 days, but can occur as late as 18 days after

exposure.

Quebec usually records about two cases a year.

The best strategy is still prevention, Poirier said, which means vaccination.

© Copyright © The Montreal Gazette

[Guest guest]

Looks like the fear of autism from vaccines is still going strong. I've also checked around and I can't find any local place that knows about the adult measles booster that is supposed to exist.

In a message dated 6/7/2011 2:19:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

Measles epidemic spreads in Quebec254 cases; disease leapfrogged from Europe